Chief Chat: Little to no problems reported Halloween

Sunday

Nov 3, 2013 at 10:00 AM

Thursday, Oct. 31, was Halloween and the Rolla community celebrated with the Rolla Downtown Business Association’s “Have a Safe Trick or Treat Night” where hundreds of children and parents converged on the downtown businesses in search of Halloween candy.

Rolla Police Chief Mark Kearse

Thursday, Oct. 31, was Halloween and the Rolla community celebrated with the Rolla Downtown Business Association’s “Have a Safe Trick or Treat Night” where hundreds of children and parents converged on the downtown businesses in search of Halloween candy. In addition to some great candy and other goodies there were many other attractions all along Pine Street. There was at least one haunted house and a presentation by the Drama Force crew that all took place throughout the night. We had our reserve officers paired with Police Explorers patrolling the downtown area. We had staff officers and patrol officers patrolling the neighborhoods and VIPS checking parks and cemeteries. The wet weather did not seem to be much of a deterrent as there were crowds both downtown and in the neighborhoods. In spite of the rain, the entire event went very well with little or no problems reported. We would like to thank both our reserve and VIPS and you, the community, for helping us keep this Halloween event safe for all who participated. We could not have done it without you.On Friday, Nov. 1, we participated in the sixth annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-up where we partner with the Rolla Ministerial Alliance and other government agencies such as the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, CenturyLink, Fidelity Communications, Rolla Municipal Utilities, City of Rolla entities including public works, solid waste and the Rolla City Council to join in with volunteers from the community to target a particular area within the community and work together in a clean-up event. This year the work areas were scattered around the city and even included some tree trimming and removal at Ber Juan Park. Typically we trim trees shrubs, mow lawns, remove trash and debris, clear fence lines and haul away old appliances. We try to provide this service to those that are unable to do the work themselves, but many times the resident will jump right in there with us. Crews went in and followed pre-submitted work orders that were prepared as per the resident. The operation began at around 7 a.m. and concluded a little after noon. We would like to thank all the previously named agencies as well as our diligent volunteers for making this year’s event a success. We would also like to thank our sponsors including Kroger, Pepsi-Cola, Walmart, Country Mart and Donut King. We would also like to thank Rolla’s First Christian Church, Vinyard Christian Fellowship, Christian Life Center and My Father’s World for their kind assistance.On Oct. 26, at approximately 6:53 p.m. the Rolla Police Department received a report of a subject being run over by a train in the area of the Phelps County Courthouse in between the Rolla Street railroad crossing and North Park Street. During the course of the investigation officers discovered that a male victim who was identified as Phillip J. Montoya, 53, of Rolla, had been struck by an eastbound Burlington Northern train. Montoya died at the scene as a result of injuries he suffered in the accident. Montoya’s next of kin have been notified. This incident is still under investigation by the Rolla Police Department’s division of criminal investigation and the Phelps County coroner’s office. In light of this tragic mishap, I would like to remind the community that all railroad tracks, right-of-way areas and railroad crossings are private property owned and maintained by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and trespassing on these properties is forbidden and illegal. Please refrain from venturing on or near these properties in the interest of safety.The Rolla Police Department has been a longtime supporter of Special Olympics-Missouri and will continue to do so. This year we are pleased to announce that Rolla will be holding its very own Polar Plunge event where participants brave the elements by walking, running or crawling into the frigid winter waters. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Missouri’s year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. All new and coming in the winter of 2014, the Rolla Plunge will be hosted at the Fugitive Run mud obstacle course. This plunge is unique from the beginning in that it will be held at a quarry and is being built for schools and students. The Cool School competition will reward the schools with the largest fundraising total, the largest team and the best costumes. Registration is open to anyone 10 years of age and older and who raise the minimum of $75 by the event day. The public is welcome to participate as well, but students and schools are our focus. The Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC) is Special Olympics Missouri’s newest partner that encourages students to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. The Polar Plunge is a project of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Missouri. Rolla Police Department and MSHP Troop I are proud to host this event. You may mail donations to Special Olympics Missouri, 1001 Diamond Ridge, Suite 800, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Please include your name in the memo line of checks. For more information contact Sgt. Vince Giacolone at the Rolla Police Department at 573-308-1213.Have a great week.